American Indian & Ethnographic Art Up for Bid at Skinner Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of American Indian & Ethnographic Art in its Boston gallery on Saturday, September 24th at 10 a.m. The sale will feature more than 600 lots and is highlighted by the
estimated at $2,500 to $3,500; and an Apache pictorial olla, lot 610, valued at $3,000 to $5,000.
African and Polynesian Art
The sale boasts a substantial, and often affordable, collection of African art and Polynesian material with some scarce items. Of note is lot 56, a Hemba figure from the collection of Joseph Aurelian Cornet, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000, and an interesting carved pillow, lot 57, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000. The sale offers many attractive African masks including lot 77, a very nice antelope headdress estimated at $6,000 to $8,000; lot 88, a Kran mask valued at $1,200 to $1,600; an Ibo carved maiden mask, lot 99, estimated at $3,000 to $4,000; lot 102, a Lwalwa mask from the Democratic Republic of Congo with an auction estimate of $2,500 to $3,500; lot 106, a Bete, Ivory Coast mask valued at $6,000 to $8,000; and two Kifwebe masks, lots 108 and 109, both also from the Cornet collection, and estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 and $8,000 to $12,000, respectively.
Polynesian material being offered is highlighted by two pieces from the James Hooper collection, a British collector whose material is highly desirable. Lot 118 is a 19th century Maori chief’s staff estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 and lot 128 is a Marquesas Islands war club estimated at $60,000 to $80,000. Other featured items from the region include lot 116, a fine 19th century Maori treasure box estimated at $5,000 to $7,000; two Billhook hand clubs, lots 120 and 121, estimated at $3,000 to $4,000 and $6,000 to $8,000, respectively; and lot 122, a stilt step, estimated at $5,000 to $7,000.
Quite a bit of New Guinea material goes up for bid with a Melanesian wood spatula, lot 135, valued at $1,500 to $2,000, and a carved wood figure of Ramu, lot 137, estimated at $800 to $1,200, being of particular interest. Shields that are expected to be popular include a Dayak shield from the early 20th century, lot 156, valued at $1,500 to $2,000, and a Philippines shield from the same time, lot 157, estimated to sell for $800 to $1,200.
Preview and Catalogue Information
Previews for the auction will be Thursday, September 22nd, 12 to 5 p.m., Friday, September 23rd, 12 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, September 24th, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Illustrated catalog #2563B is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3000 x3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive!, Skinner’s live online bidding applet.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad
